Senior Adults Are Not Immune to Prescription Painkiller Addiction

New Report Reveals Increasing Rate of Opioid Abuse Among Aging Adults in America

According to a recent report issued by the Agency for Healthcare Research
and Quality (AHRQ), an unprecedented number of senior adults in the United
States are developing addictions to prescription opioid painkillers. The
AHRQ report reveals that millions of aging adults in America are simultaneously filling
prescriptions from multiple doctors for opioids like Fentanyl, OxyContin, and Vicodin,
to name a few.

Opioid Medications Create Significant Risk for Senior Adults

There are many reasons why aging American adults are at a more significant risk of
opioid addiction, including:

Greater likelihood of experiencing chronic pain, which physicians often
remedy with opioids

Greater likelihood of experiencing multiple painful health issues at a
time, such as diabetes, heart failure, etc.

Lack of education and awareness of resources regarding opioid addiction
and related treatment

There has also been a massive uptick in the number of senior adults who
have been hospitalized for issues stemming from opioid addiction or abuse.
Since 2010, the number of aging adults admitted to the hospital for opioid-related
problems has increased by more than 34 percent. Given that many older
Americans are unaware of the risks they face when taking opioid painkillers,
it often falls to caregivers and loved ones to help them get the care
they need.

Opioid Addiction Treatment for Aging Adults in Prescott, AZ

At Decision Point Center, we provide compassionate, relational rehabilitation
in Northern Arizona. Our
45-day residential treatment program is for adults of all ages, and we may be able to help you or your aging
loved one get the help they need to make a full recovery. Allow us to
come alongside you and help you overcome addiction, substance abuse disorder,
and opioid dependence for good.